Calling all nonprofits and technology firms for $5,000 - $150,000 in grants and investments.

Are you a nonprofit in need of an innovative solution to a problem faced by those you serve? Are you a technology firm interested in making a social impact? If you answered yes, then the UpPrize competition is for you!

Social Innovation is a novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, just, or sustainable than current solutions. Doers, makers, coders, tinkerers, researchers, hackers, and designers, we want to hear your product or service idea. Enter the UpPrize competition and win cash grants and investments ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.

The Challenge Area – Impactful Technology

Products and solutions that will improve nonprofit service delivery and/or the lives of vulnerable populations in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In an age of virtual reality and hyper-personalized advertising, new advances in technology appear to be everywhere. But are these new technologies being used in ways that benefit the ones who need solutions the most?

For individuals, technology can connect us to those we love, provide us with life-changing information, and change the way we experience the world. For nonprofit organizations, technology can strengthen and further their missions, leading to a bigger impact on the people and communities they serve. But too often technology becomes a barrier – too expensive and too complicated – for the people and organizations who need it the most.

Projects will be based on the following questions. It does not mean that a project must be able to answer all these questions with a “yes”, but the more “yeses” the better:

Does it help people in communities that do not have an abundance of services or resources?

Will it help a nonprofit organization be more effective, efficient or have a greater impact?

Can the idea grow over time to be useful to more people or communities?